In a Russian Governor's Race, Elements of Farce

By SABRINA TAVERNISE

Published: September 8, 2002

KRASNOYARSK, Russia, Sept. 7—
Two enormous financial empires have thrown their might behind competing candidates in a closely fought election in the heart of Siberia that political analysts in Moscow say is basically a corporate battle.

On the ground, however, the battle looks like something of a farce, with a variety of candidates who seem to be seeking something other than the governorship.

The election is for governor of the Krasnoyarsk Province, to replace Aleksandr I. Lebed, the colorful former paratroop commander who died in a helicopter crash in April. The major contest is between a local establishment candidate backed by an aluminum empire and a young business-executive-turned-politician from the vast metals industry farther north.

But the race has also attracted a variety show cast of other contenders, from publicity-seekers and Lebed look-alikes, to tycoon has-beens. Several long-forgotten characters from Russia's past are running, hoping to use the notoriety to return to the national scene. Even Mr. Lebed's younger brother joined the race, though he later dropped out in disgust.

In all, there are 14 candidates on the ballot, down from an initial 29.

The favorite in the race is Alexander V. Uss, 54, leader of the local parliament, and the major challenger is Aleksandr G. Khloponin, 36, former chief executive of Norilsk Nickel, a large metals producer, who last year was elected governor of a nearby region.

Apart from the main plot, a strange subplot has surfaced. Both candidates have enlisted a host of rogue partners to run as well.

Known in Russian as hammers, because of the role they play, these stalking-horses register as candidates but spend most of their election time taking below-the-belt shots and filing protests with the local election committee.

That allows the main contenders to distance themselves from the smear tactics. It also provides expensive campaigns with ways to circumvent spending caps, currently set at about $650,000.

The neat plot was threatened by the emergence of a strong third candidate, Krasnoyarsk's stocky city mayor, Pyotr I. Pimashkov. Recently, a proxy candidate thought to be working for Mr. Uss sought to have Mr. Pimashkov removed from the ballot for a technical campaign violation.

Mr. Pimashkov's fate hung in the balance this week, but on Thursday, a court ruled in his favor. The proxy candidate, a 52-year-old who lists his profession as pensioner, was dismissed from the race.

''It used to be that all the money went to image makers,'' said Vasily Nelyubin, Mr. Pimashkov's campaign strategist, at their modest headquarters in a gray concrete hotel in the city's center. ''Now half of campaign staffs is lawyers.''

Strategists for each of the three main campaigns all said that only about half of the 14 candidates actually want to become governor. Mr. Nelyubin estimated the cost of such proxy candidates at $100,000, but he denied having one, citing tight finances.

While the serious contenders have battled, publicity-seekers have also flocked to Krasnoyarsk, with some hoping to use a candidacy here as a springboard to return to the national stage.

One such candidate is German L. Sterligov, 35, who rose to wealth and fame in the early 1990's as the founder of Russia's first trading exchanges.

His riches bought two apartments in New York City -- one for his family and one for his dog -- and a chateau in France. He later found religion and became an ultra-conservative, born-again Orthodox Christian. Now he runs a luxury coffin dealership. Coffins, in his words, are ''the most important things in life -- they are forever.''

Mr. Sterligov, with a long, frothy beard and an intense stare, conceded that his campaign has been slowed by frequent arguments he has picked with voters he was trying to woo. He chose a campaign stop at a local hospital, for example, to stage a tirade against doctors who performed abortions.

''They almost broke down the door to get out of the room,'' said Mr. Sterligov, crossing himself before taking a sip of coffee and nibble of chocolate candy.

Mr. Sterligov said he is running to bring religion to Russian politics, but freely admits he does not want to win. The only plank in his party platform -- a pledge to knock down the gray, regional government building, which was built by the Soviets on the site of a church -- seems to confirm that.

''No psychologically normal person would elect me as governor,'' he said. ''Being a grave maker from Moscow is not the best way to get to the governor's seat.''

Another apparently no-hope candidate with high name-recognition is Artyom M. Tarasov, 52, who became famous throughout Russia in the late 1980's as the Soviet Union's first millionaire. Several years later he fled the country to escape a financial scandal.

He said he spent about $500,000 of his own money, not in order to win the election, but to publicize his return to Russia and pave the way for new business ventures here.

''If I get enough votes, I could be a respected person in this region,'' he said in an interview. ''Then I won't be kept waiting in anyone's reception room.''

His trademark attire -- a white suit and white alligator shoes -- has been a big hit with the region's women. His campaign posters on city billboards appeal to women, telling them that ''a governor is a state husband, and a husband must be chosen with the heart.''

At a small fruit and vegetable market along Krasnoyarsk's central Karl Marx street, many of the vendors, predominantly women, were taken with Mr. Tarasov.

''I like him as a man,'' said a shy 56-year-old woman selling carrots who would identify herself only as Galina Ivanovna.

Still, on Thursday, the eve of the last campaign day, Mr. Tarasov admitted dreading a Friday meeting with schoolteachers, most of whom are women.

''They will say they haven't gotten their wages,'' he said. ''What will I tell them?''

An aide seated near him, referring to the billboards, suggested he use the husband line.

Photo: Pyotr I. Pimashkov, right, mayor of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, at a rally on Friday. When Mr. Pimashkov emerged as a strong third candidate in the provincial governor's race, a proxy candidate thought to be working for one of the two major contenders in the campaign sought to have him removed from the ballot on a technicality. On Thursday, a court ruled in Mr. Pimashkov's favor and the proxy candidate was dismissed from the race. (Alexander Paniotov for The New York Times) Map of Russia highlighting Krasnoyarsk: In the governor's race in Krasnoyarsk, not everyone wants to win.